Employment Dismissal

Sarah asks: I am looking for work after employment dismissal, and need some help. I was dismissed from my last job as I didn’t meet the targets, was making mistakes as a result of being stressed, and was late on two occasions. So, in summary, I think that has also gone against me. I was employed there from November 2008 to March 2009, and I had a job for a month earlier in 2008. If I delete either job from my CV, how can explain the massive gap?

In answer:
Firstly, and I keep saying this because so many people look for excuses over the ease of telling the truth rather than being rejected later – never ever lie in a job application!

I realise this next question may be seem daft, but have you actually looked at the dismissal letter they gave you at your exit interview? You probably did listen to the words they were saying – certainly, from what you confess in asking this question could add up to a series of minor incidents and hence dismissal – but have you actually read the dismissal letter?

Reasons for Employment Dismissal

Why do I ask this? Because of the rise in legal cases involving dismissed employees suing ex-employer for either constructive dismissal, wrongful dismissal or unfair dismissal, employers seek the strongest legal way of dismissing employees. Hence, much as though an employee may have factually committed errors in a particular area, as long as they didn’t commit a crime and create a resultant crown case, employers will seek a mutual and method of clear dismissal which allows the employee a better/at worst neutral chance of later employment. This one issue, aside from money which is normally only available in constructive dismissal cases, is the issue most unfair dismissal cases will be created on.

I think if you look at the dismissal letter, I think therefore the simple answer will be: as the job lasted less than six months (ie: the trial period), you and the job just didn’t work out in trial. You hence were probably not technically dismissed, you just didn’t complete the trial period. The worst thing your reference will say are your dates of employment, and the fact you were not offered a permanent contract.

Now, here’s the answer on moving forward and gaining employment. With such a patchy recent record of short periods of employment, any future employer will have two question:

  • Why you are applying for their job
  • Why you will stick at this job

You hence need to come up with the answers to these two questions. This needs to encompass the reason as to why you won’t make the same mistakes in your next job application, why its the right career/job for you, and why you are wholly committed.

Hence, there is no need to explain the massive gap. Just focus on why the next job is wholly right for you.

Good Luck!

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